I don't understand the locking of meter either. It can be done from one main source.....This doesn't make sense.

Quoting: Blue Skies

I might understand it if they knocked on his door -- he was not home -- and as a precaution they shut it down. But they should leave a note on the door -- as others have said.

And shutting them ALL down... seems like a lot of re-work. Now they have to go back to each house and do it all over again. Would have been better to check those houses that they could when they were there the first time. Better for the utility-- better for the customer.